Spinal Reflexes – Myotactic (Stretch) Reflexes – Crossed Extension Reflex
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Myotactic (Stretch) Reflexes

Crossed Extension Reflex

• Anatomy and Physiology
This reflex is important in the animal’s normal support mechanism. When standing the animal evenly distributes its weight among all four limb. If one limb flexes the opposite limbs must extend to increase the support.
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Assessment
This reflex is observed when the withdrawl reflex is done. The expected response is no response. An abnormal response would be extension of the opposite limb.
This test is not often used because the normal response is an absence of movement. Since the test is difficult to perform it is possible to obtain false results.

Note: Video accompanied by audio.